Quality, all round Hard tail advice

clanton
clanton Posts: 1,289
edited August 2007 in MTB buying advice
I currently ride a Genius MC30 having upgraded from a Marin Nailtrail which I never got on with (think it was too small at 17.5")
I want to get a good all round "hardcore hardtail" for general purpose use - winter riding, purpose built trails and to improve my all round skills especially with jumps and bunnyhops. I'm not planning on using it fo epic all day rides, the Genius is perfect for that.
I have been thinking about building up a bike around a Cotic Soul or Cove Handjob frame with Xt level kit and a 130mm fork but having worked out what that would cost I've realised that buying a complete bike offers much better value for money (I knew it would but the difference is huge!)
I'm prepared to spend something around £1200 - £1500. What would you guys recommend?

Comments

  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872
    I'm biased, and am sure people will of seen me go on about On-One :lol: But at £149 preorder for the new red 456 frame..... well I cant find anything better value and as good. I ride the oringinal "that blue" one and love it to bits.
    Best be quick tho' at that price! Pics of mine in my sig......
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  • jobless
    jobless Posts: 29
    I have a dailled Prince Albert 853 built with XT mechs and shifters, race face cranks, revelations, cross lands and juicy 7s, thomson and Easton finishing - cost about 1500. Could be better, could be worse but it Rides lovely and it is 'mine' and built by me. That would be my choice again. The on-one is good for the money but the tubes are straight-guage (IIIRC) and it is a bit on the heavy side. BUT for the price difference you could go for hope hoops on it and make it lighter.

    Yes you can get one for a lot less off-the-shelf - but so can anyone. Depends if you want 'your own' bike or one that everyone else has?

    A lot of support for the on-one's/cotic's/dialled's/pipedreams of this world, but there are others.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    How about the Rock Lobster B52 from Merlin? Easton RAD frame similar to cove at a fraction of the price. Leaves loads for a really good build.
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  • clanton
    clanton Posts: 1,289
    jobless wrote:
    Yes you can get one for a lot less off-the-shelf - but so can anyone. Depends if you want 'your own' bike or one that everyone else has?

    That really is my inclination - to build a bike to the spec that I want. Just when cold hard reality sets in and I look at the bottom line......
    Thanks for the repleis and advice - please keep it coming!
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Rock Lobster B52 I'd say.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    Those Rock Lobster B52 frames are built very very strong, was in the Merlin shop last week ogling one.

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